Summary
Lana's office remodel reveals a dead body, forcing her to confront the mystery and make a tough decision about how the organization operates.
Cheryl's obsession with tormenting Kurt using kabob skewers creates uproarious and peculiar moments throughout the episodes.
The group's quest to infiltrate a formal event turns into chaos and laughter when Pam starts a brawl, leading to hilarious medieval insults and comedic pandemonium.
Archer's final season is delivering some of its funniest moments yet, with the first two episodes of season 14 as hilarious as ever. Created by Adam Reed, this popular FX series has been running for 14 years and now focuses on former top agent Lana Kane (Aisha Tyler) as she takes on the role of an authority figure, reshaping the organization into an exceptional team of secret agents. One notable addition to the mix is Interpol operative Zara (Natalie Dew), who partners with Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) for a top-secret mission in Paris, France, aimed at uncovering the activities of the terrorist cell Vanguard.
Despite a few lackluster seasons and occasional standout episodes, fans didn't anticipate Archer to be as dynamic, inventive, and thrilling as it has become. What's even more surprising is how the introduction of a new character like Zara seamlessly fits into the storyline and serves as a catalyst for some of the show's most impressive character development. With episodes like "The Anglerfish Stratagem" and "30 For 30," fans can expect an exhilarating shakeup to the status quo, along with plenty of humorous jabs at the spy genre's clichés.
Lana's Office Remodeling Revealing A Dead Body
Since taking over for Malory (Jessica Walter), Lana has initiated numerous changes within the office premises, which include a complete renovation. As the demolition kicks off season 14, a few powerful swings from a sledgehammer unexpectedly expose a chilling secret - actual skeletons stashed within the walls. In order to establish her authority effectively, Lana must confront this unsettling enigma head-on. The storyline of the mysterious body takes a turn for the worse when Lana is faced with the gut-wrenching decision of either eliminating Kurt, the employee who stumbled upon the macabre find, or devoting herself to conducting a thorough investigation to unravel the identity of the deceased. Cyril's proposition of involving the police forces Lana to reevaluate her commitment to maintaining absolute transparency within the organization.
Cheryl Torturing Kurt With Her Kabob Skewers
In episode 1, the body subplot progresses, and Cheryl becomes increasingly captivated by its structure. Intrigued, she starts exploring various ways to torment Kurt discreetly without revealing her discovery. At one instance, she even grabs kabob skewers with the specific intention of thrusting them through his skull. To emphasize the absurdity, it turns out Cheryl has holsters for her kabob skewers. Her fondness for peculiar objects proves beneficial in episode 2 when she manages to smuggle a (ceramic) knife past the TSA, allowing her to liberate Archer and his companions from their bonds.
Lana Blaming Everything That Goes Wrong On Cyril
Zara, Archer & The Gang Sneaking Into The Vanguard Black Tie Affair
: In season 14 of Archer, Cyril continues to bear the burden of being blamed for numerous major disasters, keeping in line with the show's recurring comedic trope. Episodes 1 and 2 not only support Kurt in uncovering the identity of the body found in Lana's office but also highlight Cyril's efforts to dissuade Lana from engaging in any illegal activities that could attract unwanted attention. It's reassuring to observe that these familiar jokes have not been disregarded, as they remain consistently hilarious.In order to maintain the essence of Archer being a secret agent show, the gang engages in a classic scenario where they infiltrate a formal event by posing as wait staff. Their main objective is to locate members of a dangerous terrorist intelligence organization. During this mission, Pam, known for her food-related humor, adds a touch of entertainment to the evening. The event's lavish offerings also lead to some suggestive conversations. However, the real highlight occurs when Pam deliberately starts a fight with Ray. This diversion enables Zara and Archer to make a daring escape using motorcycles. As they are in Europe, Pam's reference to Ray as a "knave" sets the stage for a series of medieval insults and banter.
The Recurring Jokes About Archer's Age
Season 14 features a recurring joke where Archer is teased by Zara about his age, highlighting his impressive skills for a "man of his age." These comments only fuel his competitive nature and reaffirm his youthful mindset, as evidenced by his continued use of playful motorcycle noises.
Archer's Friendship With Shelly The Cave Turtle
In their attempt to assume new identities, Archer, Zara, Pam, and Ray's true intentions are exposed by Vanguard, leading to their imprisonment in an underground cave. While the rest of the group successfully escapes with Zara's assistance, Archer is left alone with only a turtle he affectionately names Shelly. Over time, Archer forms an endearing and amusing bond with Shelly, and with her support and a secret phone concealed in his boot, he eventually manages to liberate himself and reunite with the others.
The Concussion Contest
Cheryl's Plane Meltdown
In the second episode, Archer and Zara's competitive nature reaches new heights as they embark on "The Concussion Contest," a twisted game to determine who can eliminate the most Vanguard members. However, their version of knocking out consists of brutal murders. This gruesome competition not only hilariously parallels the friendly rivalry between Gimli and Legolas in The Lord of the Rings, but also highlights the surprising similarities between Archer and Zara. Amidst their constant arguments, they manage to find enjoyment in each other's company and even have fun together while carrying out their mission.As part of Lana's efforts to establish the organization's legitimacy, she has implemented cost-cutting measures that require everyone to travel in economy class on commercial airlines, instead of indulging in extravagant private jets. This decision has led to dissatisfaction among the staff, particularly Cheryl, who struggles to comprehend why she no longer receives the luxury of cocktails and caviar during flights. Eventually, Cheryl reaches her breaking point and experiences a complete meltdown, unable to endure "sitting with the less privileged" any longer. Archer has always excelled in satirizing the clichés and stereotypes found within the 1960s spy genre, most notably the excessive opulence associated with James Bond. Unveiling the entitlement of these agents never fails to elicit laughter and entertainment.
Meeting The Vanguard Leader
Even though Archer and Zara have been informed that Vanguard operates as an egalitarian terrorist cell without a designated leader, they soon discover the truth to be quite different. Just as they find themselves in the midst of The Concussion Contest, a fierce competition to incapacitate the majority of the 61 members, they unexpectedly come face-to-face with Vanguard's enigmatic leader. This formidable figure is described as a blend of Liam Neeson's character in Taken and an extra from The Hunt for Red October. However, the tables turn when Zara ingeniously defeats him using a cleverly concealed shoe pistol. This victory further underscores the importance of villains refraining from monologuing before executing their captives, as
The Gang Escaping From The Vanguard Base On Rolly Chairs
.Concluding Episode 2, the Vanguard base readies itself for a self-destruct sequence following the demise of its leader. This forces Archer, Zara, and the rest of the gang to make a daring escape, all while being restrained by rolling office chairs. Among the standout moments of both episodes, witnessing the principal characters of Archer embark on a slow-motion getaway down a corridor as the base erupts in explosions is truly unforgettable. Season 14's first two episodes establish that Archer remains as witty, charming, and uproariously hilarious as ever, confirming its intention to conclude with a resounding bang comparable to the Vanguard HQ's destruction.